News Releases
Crapo Bill Would Keep Farms and Ranches in the Family
Washington, D.C. - Legislation aimed at reducing the barriers to pass family farm and ranch ownership to future generations has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado). The American Family Farm and Ranchland Protection Act, S. 1901, would help to keep farm and ranch property under family ownership by allowing 50% of the property involved to be placed under a tax-free easement. Present law calls for a limit of 40% easement limit for a… Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Crapo Office Travels to Glenns Ferry, Idaho City and Nampa
Boise - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office will travel to Southwestern Idaho cities next month. Crapo's Regional Director Bryan Ricker will visit Boise, Canyon, and Elmore counties, and can assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. Crapo Remote Office Hours schedule: Monday, Decemb… Continue Reading
November 17, 2011
Senate Approves Crapo-Risch Resolution Recognizing Downwinders
Washington, D.C. - Idahoans and residents of states adversely affected by nuclear fallout from arms testing during the Cold War era deserve greater attention and compensation for health problems related to the above ground tests. For that reason, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have joined several colleagues in the U.S. Senate to introduce a resolution bringing more attention to the "downwinders" who were exposed many years ago. The resolution, S. Res. 330, passed the Senate last nigh… Continue Reading
November 16, 2011
Crapo, Simpson: Bipartisan Deficit Plan Still Possible
Washington, D.C. - As the Joint Select Committee established by Congress approaches the November 23 deadline to present a debt reduction plan for expedited consideration, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson say the members still have options. Crapo and Simpson joined dozens of Senate and House colleagues today at a Capitol Hill news conference to urge a comprehensive deficit reduction plan of up to $4 trillion. Crapo is a member of the Gang of Six who has been building suppo… Continue Reading
November 10, 2011
Delegation Urges Idahoans to Weigh in on Minidoka Refuge Plan
Washington, D.C. - Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation are urging Idahoans to make their feelings known concerning any changes at Lake Walcott on the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge. This development comes as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, is designing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Minidoka Refuge, as mandated by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo, Jim … Continue Reading
November 09, 2011
Crapo Honors Idaho Veterans and Volunteers with Spirit of Freedom Awards
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is paying tribute to seventeen inspirational Idahoans this Veterans Day in ceremonies in Boise, Lewiston, Twin Falls and Pocatello. This year marks the tenth year Crapo has honored Idaho veterans and volunteers who work with veterans through the Spirit of Freedom Awards. "The sacrifice and resolve demonstrated by veterans in the face of challenge does not end with the conclusion of their military service," said Crapo. "The contributions, patriotis… Continue Reading
November 09, 2011
Highway Bill Improved With Crapo Additions
Washington, D.C. - Idaho and other rural states will maintain their share of federal highway dollars under a draft highway spending bill approved by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and fellow members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee today. The committee included language from Crapo amendments in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21) legislation. The highway bill faces additional Senate committee hearings before a vote on the floor. The two-year meas… Continue Reading
November 08, 2011
Crapo: Collaboration Taking Higher Profile in U.S. Forest Service
Washington, D.C. - The use of collaboration and increased public involvement to address contentious federal land management issues is a welcome development, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo today noted the promotion of Region 1 Forester Leslie Weldon to become the new Deputy Chief for the U.S. Forest Service. Crapo said Weldon has been an active supporter and participant of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC), an advisory group Crapo helped establish more than three years ag… Continue Reading
November 04, 2011
Crapo Co-Sponsors Honest Budget Act
Washington, D.C. - The rise in the use of budget-setting shortcuts, gimmicks and other manipulations have become an all-too-familiar crutch for a Congress that is not living up to promises to cut spending. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, is joining fourteen Senate colleagues to sponsor the Honest Budget Act. "The Honest Budget Act should join the line-item veto and balanced budget proposals as sound fiscal policy that will bring transparency and accountabilit… Continue Reading
November 02, 2011
Senators Named True Blue Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have received the "True Blue" Award from Family Research Council Action and CitizenLink for their continued support for legislation that protects families. The organizations released their voting scorecard for the first session of the 112 th Congress outlining votes on issues that affect family issues. Crapo and Risch were two of only eight senators who scored a perfect 100 percent. To be recognized as a "True Blue" Member of the Sen… Continue Reading
October 27, 2011
Crapo to Honor ISU Cancer Efforts; Joins Domestic Violence News Conference
October 24, 2011
Crapo Site Named One of the Best Websites on Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C. - The official website of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, http://crapo.senate.gov, has received a "112 th Congress Gold Mouse Award", making it one of the best websites on Capitol Hill. The award, announced today, was given by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to improve communications between citizens and Congress and to enhance operations in Capitol Hill offices. Crapo is one of only five Senators to receive the Gold… Continue Reading
October 20, 2011
Senators Crapo, Blunt Introduce Bill to Prevent EPA From Imposing Costly Regulations on Farmers, Ranchers
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Missouri Senator Roy Blunt introduced the "Superfund Common-Sense Act of 2011" (S. 1729) this week, which would prevent the Obama Administration from imposing another needless and burdensome regulation on America's food producers. Crapo, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health. The legislation would clearly exempt manure, poultry litter an… Continue Reading
October 20, 2011
U.S. Senate Designates October as National Work and Family Month
Washington, DC - The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution to designate the month of October 2011 as "National Work and Family Month." The resolution is sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Herb Kohl (WI) and Frank Lautenberg (NJ). This designation will encourage employers, employees, and communities across the nation to discuss and work together on mutually beneficial work-life programs and policies. "Working parents should be afforde… Continue Reading
October 18, 2011
Senate Adopts Potato Amendment
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch released the following statement today after an amendment to keep potatoes in school lunches was unanimously agreed to. "We are pleased to see that our Senate colleagues agree with us and recognize that the potato is an important vegetable to keep in school meals. It was clear that no one wanted to increase the cost of school meals, reduce local flexibility and make it more difficult to deliver the healthy foods our kids need." Crapo… Continue Reading
October 17, 2011
Senators Fight to Keep Potatoes in Nutrition Programs
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are deeply concerned about new guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would drastically reduce the use of potatoes in school lunches. The Idaho Senators are joining Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mark Udall (D-Colorado) to introduce an amendment to the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill to prevent the USDA from requiring schools to cut the amount of potatoes served in school meals. This propo… Continue Reading
October 14, 2011
Two Outstanding Students Will Be Selected to Spend a Week in Washington Observing the Federal Government in Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch announced that the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun its statewide selection process. The two Idaho students selected will join 102 other delegates March 3-10, 2012 for the program's 50 th Anniversary Washington Week. The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 as stated in supporting Senate testimony from that year, "to increase young Americans' understanding of the interrelationship of the three branche… Continue Reading
October 13, 2011
Trade Growth Key to Idaho's Economy
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch strongly support new free trade agreements expanding market opportunities for Idaho exporters with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Recent trade statistics show Idaho well above the national average in capitalizing on trade-oriented growth. The Idaho Senators joined a bipartisan majority as the Senate approved the three agreements by overwhelming margins. The pacts had already been approved in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Ex… Continue Reading
October 12, 2011
Governor and Delegation React to NRC Approving Operating License for AREVA
Washington, D.C. - Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and the Idaho Congressional Delegation today offered their reactions to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's announcement that it has issued a license to AREVA Enrichment Services, LLC to construct and operate the Eagle Rock Enrichment Plant near Idaho Falls, Idaho. "Today's decision paves the way for AREVA to move forward with its eastern Idaho facility, which will be so important to the future of clean, safe and sustainable energy in our count… Continue Reading
October 12, 2011
Delegation Says Idaho Case Shows Federal Overreach
Washington, D.C. - A Priest Lake, Idaho couple is headed for the U.S. Supreme Court over a land use dispute with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that should have never occurred, according to Members of the Idaho Congressional Delegation. Mike and Chantell Sackett were in Washington, D.C., today as part of a forum convened by Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and attended by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho Senator Jim Risch and Idaho Representative Raúl Labrador. "This is what happens… Continue Reading